A man was forced to hand over cash during a knifepoint robbery at a community centre in Highfield Road, Ipswich.

The incident happened between 4pm and 4.30pm yesterday, when a man entered Castle Hill Community Centre and confronted another man inside.

He demanded money and produced a knife, before the victim handed over cash. After receiving the money, the offender ran off.

Although shocked, the member of staff was unhurt and taken to hospital to be checked over and went home on Thursday evening.

A spokesman for Community Action Suffolk said: “Police have taken a formal statement and details to construct an e-fit.

“The police said that it was an extremely unusual crime for a number of reasons including the time of day, that Castle Hill was very busy yesterday afternoon with the car park almost full of cars, and that this sort of thing doesn’t usually happen in the Castle Hill area.”

Melanie Chew, Chief Executive at Community Action Suffolk, said: “We’ve been extremely concerned to hear of this incident and our priority is the safety and wellbeing of Community Action Suffolk staff and the users of Castle Hill Community Centre.

“We are now working closely with the local police and crime prevention officer.

“The Centre is open for business as usual.”

The offender is described as white, aged in his mid-30s, around 5ft 7in tall, wearing a hooded top and dark coloured trousers.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting IW/15/1386, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.